Cinema Pushkinsky in Moscow, Russia by Popular Architecture

Welcome to Pushkin Square, where Cinema Pushkinsky sits. In 1961, when it was completed, it shone out proudly, and attracted hordes of visitors. But now, in the 21st century, it has drawn in on itself. Historic photos and sketches of this theater show a building that was once much more open and inviting. It was a theater that drew moviegoers into its luminescent darkness. Now, the dilapidated movie theater appears to be a dead end of the once radiant Pushkin Square.

Inspired by the cinema’s past condition and its location on the square, a group of Architects have made plans to expand the lobby’s façade and reintegrate the theater into the city.

Expanded Facade Plan

Working with the cinema’s existing geometries, their expansion will take on the form of a pleated glass curtain.

Rendered Cinema

Made with DuPont’s SentryGlas, the curtain is an insulated assembly that uses the depth of the pleats to create a rigid structure free of metal framing.

Exterior Facade Placement

The curtain extends the pragmatic possibilities of the cinema, and will make new spaces for bars, restaurants, cafes, winter gardens, galleries, etc. , which will strengthen the relationship between it and the square.

Aerial Cross Sectional View

Signage is handled by a stainless steel mesh embedded with LEDs that will cover all opaque areas of the façade.

Internal Rendering

The LED mesh will provide an extremely flexible system that is able to engage street life with multiple streams of information.

Frontal Rendering of Cinema Pushkinsky

As a result, the renewed transparency of the glass curtain will be free to display only the changing light effects of day and night.